Becker’s has reported on at least 180 hospital and health system CEO exits, including retirements and resignations, since Jan. 2. Of those exiting CEOs, roughly 60 resigned without announcing future plans.
Here’s where the CEOs who shared next steps are headed:
Note: This page was created April 29 and updated Nov. 25.
1. Retirement. About 60 CEOs have announced plans to retire. A few have held their roles for longer than the average tenure, including Bryan Mills, who in July shared plans to retire as president and CEO of Indianapolis-based Community Health Network after 16 years in the role.
In March, Neil Meltzer, president and CEO of Baltimore-based LifeBridge Health, announced plans to retire after more than 12 years leading the system.
2. COO roles. A couple CEOs exited for COO roles at different organizations, such as Janet Hadar, MSN, president and CEO of Chapel Hill, N.C.-based UNC Hospitals, who will become COO of University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System, effective in January.
In July, Andrew Bedi was named COO of Doctors Hospital of Augusta (Ga.) after serving as CEO of The Medical Center at Russellville (Ky.).
3. Moves outside healthcare. A few departing CEOs are considering roles outside of the healthcare sector. In February, Beth King said she would step down as CEO of JCH HealthCare, which manages Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville, Ill., to pursue a career in finance.
Paul Hanson stepped down in January as president and CEO of Sanford Health’s Sioux Falls (S.D.) market. After 37 years in hospital administration, he said he is considering opportunities both within and outside healthcare.
4. Roles outside the C-suite. Two departing CEOs have transitioned into non-CEO positions. Jeff Brannon, RN, stepped down as CEO of Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Ala., to take on a role supporting healthcare education and business development through the hospital’s partnership with Jersey College School of Nursing.
Alex Walker resigned Feb. 1 as CEO of Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, N.H., amid the hospital’s integration with Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare. He now serves as executive director of the Catholic Health Care Foundation of Greater Manchester.
5. New systems, new regions. About 35 CEOs exited to lead other hospitals or health systems, with several joining new organizations in different regions. Ketul Patel, for example, exited his role as CEO of Tacoma, Wash.-based Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and became president and CEO of Marietta, Ga.-based Wellstar Health System in October.
In April, Kimberly Russo was named CEO of Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare’s central region after serving as CEO of George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C.
6. Returning to previous employers. One “boomerang” leader, Corwin Harper, returned to Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente on Jan. 21 to become president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia. He had previously spent 25 years with Kaiser and most recently served as CEO of Shreveport, La.-based Ochsner LSU Health.
